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11 – 20 of over 57000
Article
Publication date: 27 May 2020

João Alexandre Paschoalin Filho, Claudia Maria da Silva Bezerra and Antonio José Guerner Dias

The civil construction industry has vital importance to Brazil's economy. However, this sector is also responsible for the environmental impacts. Governments have been taking…

Abstract

Purpose

The civil construction industry has vital importance to Brazil's economy. However, this sector is also responsible for the environmental impacts. Governments have been taking measures aiming to mitigate these impacts. Among these, the elaboration and implementation of civil construction solid waste management plans can be highlighted. However, these plans still lack standardizations and tools for their evaluation. Environmental indicators proposal for construction solid waste management plans assessment is presented to verify the adhesion of these to environmental laws, technical standards and green building certification systems recommendations.

Design/methodology/approach

The construction solid waste management plans of three construction works were evaluated by the proposed indicators to verify the procedures related, generating, in the end, a scale between 0 and 5. After that, plans were compared with each other.

Findings

The proposed indicators have made possible the evaluation of the environmental practices performed for three different construction works. By the proposed indicators, the environmental practices were compared to technical standards and legislation suggested procedures.

Practical implications

As a contribution, the evaluation proposal presented may help the construction industry as well as the public authority to evaluate the construction solid waste management plans currently elaborated, so that these can offer a quality improvement and more effective environmental measures.

Originality/value

Methodologies that guide the evaluation of construction solid waste management plans can be beneficial for the construction companies, which can improve the quality of the plans elaborated internally and verify the effectiveness of the plans elaborated by specialized consultancies. In general, most of the construction solid waste management plans are prepared with the purpose of only complying with the legislation, more specifically of the National Council for the Environment, Resolution 307/2002.

Details

Management of Environmental Quality: An International Journal, vol. 31 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1477-7835

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 23 November 2012

Didem Dizdaroglu, Tan Yigitcanlar and Les Dawes

As a consequence of rapid urbanisation and globalisation, cities have become the engines of population and economic growth. Hence, natural resources in and around the cities have…

Abstract

Purpose

As a consequence of rapid urbanisation and globalisation, cities have become the engines of population and economic growth. Hence, natural resources in and around the cities have been exposed to externalities of urban development processes. This paper introduces a new sustainability assessment approach that is tested in a pilot study. The paper aims to assist policy‐makers and planners investigating the impacts of development on environmental systems, and produce effective policies for sustainable urban development.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper introduces an indicator‐based indexing model entitled “Indexing Model for the Assessment of Sustainable Urban Ecosystems” (ASSURE). The ASSURE indexing model produces a set of micro‐level environmental sustainability indices that is aimed to be used in the evaluation and monitoring of the interaction between human activities and urban ecosystems. The model is an innovative approach designed to assess the resilience of ecosystems towards impacts of current development plans and the results serve as a guide for policy‐makers to take actions towards achieving sustainability.

Findings

The indexing model has been tested in a pilot case study within the Gold Coast City, Queensland, Australia. This paper presents the methodology of the model and outlines the preliminary findings of the pilot study. The paper concludes with a discussion on the findings and recommendations put forward for future development and implementation of the model.

Originality/value

Presently, there is a few sustainability indices developed to measure the sustainability at local, regional, national and international levels. However, due to challenges in data collection difficulties and availability of local data, there is no effective assessment model at the micro‐level that the assessment of urban ecosystem sustainability accurately. The model introduced in this paper fills this gap by focusing on parcel‐scale and benchmarking the environmental performance in micro‐level.

Article
Publication date: 10 October 2016

Ying-Wen Liang, Chih-Hung Wang, Sheng-Hshiung Tsaur, Chang-Hua Yen and Jin-Hua Tu

The purpose of this paper is to identify the impact indicators of the 2010 Taipei International Flora Exposition from the perspective of residents and to investigate the effects…

3591

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify the impact indicators of the 2010 Taipei International Flora Exposition from the perspective of residents and to investigate the effects of these impacts on the urban sustainability through the perceptions of Taipei residents after the exposition.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors conducted a literature review and consulted experts to identify the impact indicators of the exposition. This process resulted in 17 indicators of economic impact, 12 indicators of environmental impact, and 13 indicators of social impact, and the authors developed a 12-dimension/42-indicator mega-event impact measurement scale. Using a survey of 1,628 host residents after the exposition, the authors performed regression analysis to investigate the effects of these impacts on the urban sustainability.

Findings

The results indicated that economic, environmental, and social impacts exerted significant positive effects on urban sustainability. All positive dimensions of economic, environmental, and social impact exerted significant positive effects on urban sustainability, and all negative dimensions exerted nonsignificant effects on urban sustainability.

Originality/value

This study identified the impact indicators of the 2010 Taipei International Flora Exposition and investigated the effects of these impacts on the urban sustainability. The findings of this study indicated that economic, environmental, and social impacts of the exposition exerted significant positive effects on urban sustainability.

Details

International Journal of Event and Festival Management, vol. 7 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1758-2954

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 10 April 2017

Sónia Monteiro and Verónica Ribeiro

The purpose of this paper is to present the different possibilities set out in the literature for the integration of environmental issues into the balanced scorecard (BSC), not…

1667

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present the different possibilities set out in the literature for the integration of environmental issues into the balanced scorecard (BSC), not only in the private sector but also in the public sector, emphasizing the need to adapt the original model of the BSC to public entities.

Design/methodology/approach

Literature review, both theoretical and empirical.

Findings

As in the private sector, the literature is not unanimous regarding the integration of environmental indicators into an independent perspective. The implementation of Kaplan and Norton’s model in the public sector, taking into consideration the environmental variable, requires double attention: on the one hand, because it is necessary to adapt it to the specificities of public entities, and on the other hand, because its environmental aim is different from and wider than that of the private sector

Originality/value

This study adds to the international research on environmental management by providing the state of the art of the integration of environmental issues into the BSC, particularly in the public sector, where literature review and empirical evidence is still relatively limited.

Details

Management of Environmental Quality: An International Journal, vol. 28 no. 3
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1477-7835

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 5 January 2015

Saadia Saadi and Mébarek Djebabra

This paper is interested to assist organizations in the task of selecting and use appropriate indicators for their environmental evaluation procedure (EPE). This maximizes the…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper is interested to assist organizations in the task of selecting and use appropriate indicators for their environmental evaluation procedure (EPE). This maximizes the successful deployment of the EPE process and as a consequence the introduction of good environmental practices. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

It consists of a proposal for a combined methodology based on the simultaneous use of environmental risk (ER) approach and RPN-based allocation method.

Findings

In the developed methodology, the authors use the principles of risk assessment and purpose a new formulation of weight allowance with reference to the severity of ERs and significance of environmental aspects.

Practical implications

Methodology suggested constitutes an invaluable help to implementation EPE process and as a consequence the introduction of good environmental practices.

Originality/value

Methodology suggested facilitates the process of environmental performance evaluation providing substantial assistance to one of the most important stages that is to decide which particular indicators will be considered.

Details

World Journal of Science, Technology and Sustainable Development, vol. 12 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2042-5945

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 April 2003

Vesela Veleva, Maureen Hart, Tim Greiner and Cathy Crumbley

Ten years after the Earth Summit, a frequently asked question is how much, if any, progress has actually been made toward sustainable development. This article provides insight…

10952

Abstract

Ten years after the Earth Summit, a frequently asked question is how much, if any, progress has actually been made toward sustainable development. This article provides insight into the progress made by business in addressing and measuring progress toward sustainable production. Using a five‐level indicator hierarchy developed at the Lowell Center for Sustainable Production, the authors analyzed the environmental sustainability indicators voluntarily‐reported by six pharmaceutical companies, half of which are Global Reporting Initiative pilots. Results demonstrate that most indicators currently being publicly reported address performance or eco‐efficiency (Level 2), a few indicators look at environmental effects (Level 3), only the Global Reporting Initiative pilots are beginning to address and report on supply‐chain and product life‐cycle effects (Level 4), and no companies are addressing carrying capacity issues (Level 5). Based on their experience with other companies, the authors feel that the results of this small, single‐industry survey reflect the current state‐of‐the‐art in terms of developing more sustainable production systems.

Details

Benchmarking: An International Journal, vol. 10 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1463-5771

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 21 March 2018

Oliver James Bradley and Gloria Oforiwaa Botchway

The purpose of this paper is to identify the sustainability indicators disclosed by ten British Coffee Association corporate members in their sustainability reporting and examine…

3422

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to identify the sustainability indicators disclosed by ten British Coffee Association corporate members in their sustainability reporting and examine whether the indicators correspond to the sustainability challenges faced by the coffee industry, as identified in the literature.

Design/methodology/approach

A normative account of sustainability challenges was developed based on a review of extant literature. A content analysis of the sustainability reports and/or Webpages of the companies was conducted to identify quantitative and qualitative sustainability indicators. Frequency and thematic analysis enabled the subsequent examination.

Findings

A total of 94 sustainability indicators (44 environmental, 30 social and 20 economic) were identified in company reporting. The indicators correspond to the sustainability challenges identified in the literature. In addition to broad challenges, indicators are used to communicate specific issues. A significant number (47) of single-use indicators were identified, communicating less frequently reported challenges. Some companies account for sustainability from bean to cup, attributed to crucial differences in organisational characteristics (degree of vertical integration). Furthermore, the findings highlight the discretionary nature of sustainability reporting, finding considerable variance in indicators disclosed.

Research limitations/implications

As this paper relies on self-reported corporate disclosures, it critically examines the reporting practices of organisations, as opposed to verifying the activities associated with their claims. The authors minimised subjectivity by reducing the interpretation of what constituted “an indicator” using a clearly agreed definition and multiple rounds of coding.

Practical implications

This paper examines the reporting practices of organisations, providing a useful insight and a competitor benchmark. By comprehensively examining the sustainability challenges faced by the coffee industry, it offers “sustainability context” that can be used by organisations to improve their accounting and reporting practices.

Social implications

This paper acknowledges and addresses social initiatives that call for the systematic development of practical and appropriate sustainability indicators that can become embedded in policy and decision-making, affecting the measurement of progress and responses to important sustainability challenges.

Originality/value

This paper presents the first systematic review of sustainability indicator disclosure in an industry that faces significant sustainability challenges.

Details

Sustainability Accounting, Management and Policy Journal, vol. 9 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2040-8021

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 1 August 2016

Wan Nurul Karimah Wan Ahmad, Marisa P. de Brito and Lóránt A. Tavasszy

The purpose of this paper is to assess the sustainability reporting practices of oil and gas (O & G) companies and the integration of sustainability in the management of…

6231

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to assess the sustainability reporting practices of oil and gas (O & G) companies and the integration of sustainability in the management of their supply chain.

Design/methodology/approach

A content analysis of sustainability report of 30 companies was conducted based on the Pacific Sustainability Index that contains 21 topics on social and environmental reporting. An analysis was also conducted on supply chain management (SCM) topics related to supplier management, product stewardship and logistics management.

Findings

There is inconsistency in the sustainability reporting practices among the O & G companies studied. While 63 percent of the companies expressed higher environmental intent compared to social intent, their reporting of environmental performance is lagging behind social performance reporting. There is also a lack of supply chain indicators in the sustainability reporting guidelines. This affects the companies ability to report their supply chain practices objectively.

Practical implications

The findings of this study can be used as a guideline to improve the sustainability reporting practices and to identify relevant supply chain indicators that can be incorporated in a sustainability reporting index.

Originality/value

There is a lack of research on sustainability reporting practices in the O & G industry context, especially in terms of SCM. Previous studies focussed on companies in specific countries and/or do not incorporate all sustainability dimensions, namely, economic, environmental and social factor. We think that this is the first comprehensive study on the sustainability reporting practices and the integration of sustainability in SCM in the O & G industry.

Details

Benchmarking: An International Journal, vol. 23 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1463-5771

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 25 February 2020

Rakesh D. Raut, Bhaskar Gardas, Sunil Luthra, Balkrishna Narkhede and Sachin Kumar Mangla

The objective of this article is to carry out the driving power and dependency analysis of green human resource management (GHRM) indicators of the automotive service sector to…

2007

Abstract

Purpose

The objective of this article is to carry out the driving power and dependency analysis of green human resource management (GHRM) indicators of the automotive service sector to identify the most significant ones.

Design/methodology/approach

The GHRM indicators were identified through exhaustive literature search and validated through the semi-structured interview with 15 domain experts. The ‘Total Interpretive Structural Modelling (TISM)’ approach was applied for exploring the contextual relationship between the indicators and simultaneously developing their structural hierarchy. The MICMAC analysis was used for categorising the indicators based on their ability to influence the other ones.

Findings

In the present study, indicators namely ‘Green organisational culture and adoption of green strategy (C5)’ and ‘Green training and development (C1)’ were found to be the significant ones, whereas ‘Green employee relations and union-management (C10)’ was found to be highly dependent on the rest of the indicators.

Research limitations/implications

The proposed model has been developed in the Indian context and is limited to the automotive sector. However, the same model may apply to other domains of different economies by carrying out slight modifications to the same. Also, the inputs taken from the experts of the case sector could be biased. For the HR professionals, the present study helps to identify the key indicators which need to be considered for enlightening the environmental performance of the service organisation.

Originality/value

This research adds a significant assessment to the current knowledge base by assessing the contextual relationship between the indicators of GHRM as none of the past studies focused on the same by using the TISM method in the Indian service sectors context.

Details

International Journal of Manpower, vol. 41 no. 7
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0143-7720

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 3 July 2009

Grace K.L. Lee and Edwin H.W. Chan

This study is a follow‐up to the previous studies undertaken by the authors. The paper aims to develop a set of valid and reliable performance indicators to evaluate the…

1363

Abstract

Purpose

This study is a follow‐up to the previous studies undertaken by the authors. The paper aims to develop a set of valid and reliable performance indicators to evaluate the environmental quality of a project in order to minimise the adverse impacts of urban renewal projects on the environment.

Design/methodology/approach

First, a brief introduction to the most critical environmentally sustainable factors that should be considered when planning an urban renewal project is provided. Then this study identifies criteria for the selection of indicators, and develops appropriate indicators and a corresponding points‐scoring system for six major environmental design criteria through a comprehensive literature review and with the help of a number of experts from industry and academia.

Findings

This study proposes a set of environmental performance indicators and a corresponding points‐scoring system for the assessment model derived in a previous study. A total of 12 indicators have been developed for six design criteria (i.e. two indicators per criterion) in which both quantitative and qualitative indicators are derived, and five different scales are adopted to score individual assessment indicators.

Originality/value

By developing relevant indicators, the parties concerned can easily identify whether a renewal project meets pre‐determined planning initiatives and environmental objectives. Once deficiencies are noted, the relevant parties can take immediate action to rectify and refine the design accordingly. It is expected that the environmental performance of a renewal project can be evaluated effectively against the benchmarks through the assessment process.

Details

Facilities, vol. 27 no. 13/14
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0263-2772

Keywords

11 – 20 of over 57000